which airbrush

Howdy Nemesis

I have a Paasche VL double action. I'm still pretty much a novice modeler and I'm still really only just getting into airbrushing so I have a lot to learn. However, my experience with it has been pretty good. It's easy to use, easy to clean and is of very good quality. I hear that many owners of this AB bought it 25+ years ago and still have it, in original condition. I must admit though, I am having a bit of trouble with it at the moment. The flow is going all dicky on me. The exact cause/problem is yet to be determined. It might just be an obstruction in the siphon tube. I have just produced a thread in this forum topic asking for help on it.Don't let it deter you, though.

nemeisis1 wrote:

Thanks for the help, so many styles and types its hard to decide.

Confusing, isn't it.  You can pick just about any airbrush, and you can find people who like it and others who don't.  I wish I could be of more help.  All I can say is that I'm happy with my 155.  Whatever you get, keep it clean and expect to need some practice to get the hang of it. 

Best of luck,

Don 

nemeisis1 wrote:

Hi, looking for some general input on what type and style of airbush to buy.

Buying a cheaper, external mix, siphon feed airbrush is false economic.

If you model and airbrush sparingly, the Paasche H or similar will work just fine. You can just use a compressed air can with it. Most cheap airbrush compressor is probably too low powered for siphon feed airbrushes. You can get started with $50-60 investment, about a good medium scale model. Air can becomes expensive quickly if you airbrush often.

If you are more than an occasional modeler, it will be wise to invest on a better airbrush and compressor set. The Iwata HP-CS is popular choice here, so is the Badger 100LG. Being prepare to invest $200 or more in total.

I started out with the Paasche H years ago and found myself avoid airbrushing as much as possible even though the result looked very good. The reason being that changing color and cleaning the Paasche H was a chore. Because I got a low power compressor (The Silentaire Scorpion I equivalent) which is not quite up to the task, I have to play tricks to get what I wanted. 

I finally upgraded to an Iwata HP-CS. It was a world of difference. I can clean it fairly easily by back flushing. The control of paint was much more precise compared to the old H. In a word, airbrushing is no long a chore.

Also I hear about having more than 1, what is the purpose for this?

Since then, I got two more airbrushes which were both internal mix. They are cheap clones to the Iwata. I found them work quite well too. But I still use the Iwata most of the time because I like the feel of its control. It is convenient to have the two backups so that I can do alternate colors without cleaning every time. One of the clone is a siphon feed that takes larger paint bottle.

I've been using the same Paasche H since about 1965, and it does everything I need. I used to do professional model railroad painting with it, and never had a customer complaint. I have a new Paasche H for a spare. I also have an Iwata double-action that I've never used--yet. I may get around to trying it when I have the time to practice.

My best advice is to paraphrase the late Ansel Adams who, when asked what type of film he recommended, replied to the effect that the film is a tool--find one that works for you, get to know its strengths and weaknesses, and then perfect your technique with the chosen tool.

Cheers,

John Snyder, White Ensign Models, http://WhiteEnsignModels.com

If you're absolutely new to airbrushing, I would recommend the Paasche H.  It's a very forgiving, easy to use, durable airbrush.  It's been around for a long time and few people would dismiss it's values.

-Jesse

I have a couple different models, and I use them for different things.  I have a Badger 100LG, a nice gravity feed brush for most of my modeling.  I have a Badger 155 anthem, which is a siphon feed.  I spray future, matte varnish, and primer through this brush.  Also, if I am doing a big spray, having that bottle underneath is nice!

Mainly, I use the 100.  I find the ease of cleaning a gravity feed, as well as having to only mix a few drops of paint for a small area is a huge benefit!

Chris

nemeisis1 wrote:

Thanks for the help, so many styles and types its hard to decide. Do you use more than 1 and what for?

I only have one airbrush. You can read about it here.  Some people collect airbrushes like old ladies collect tea cups.  So far, I have resisted the urge to do that.  But I have been tempted at times.

Don

nemeisis1 wrote:

Hi, looking for some general input on what type and style of airbush to buy. Also I hear about having more than 1, what is the purpose for this?

It's kind of hard to say without knowing what you want to do.  Some are happy with a simple external mix brush like the Paasche H.  Others have found airbrush nirvana with a Harder Steenbeck or an Iwata.  You can look here for some of my thoughts on the subject.  I have no idea why you would need more than one.

Don